By the automatic



R. 0. NELSON 1930- VARIABLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL 17,602

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May 16. 1925 B05591 O-A/ELSON Reiasuecl Feb. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT O, NELSON, DECEASED, LATE OF PORTLAND, OREGON, BY THE AUTOMATIC SIGNAL CORPORATION, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNEE VARIABLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL Original No. 1,665,560, dated April 10, 1928, Serial No. 30,865, filed May 18, 1925. Application for reissue filed April 12, 1929.

This invention relates to traiiic controlling and regulating devices, and the primary object is to provide an automatic signalling device at the intersection of a main or arterial highway and a cross road which ordinarily accommodates a lesser amount of traf fic, whereby the right of way will be constantly maintained on the highway until a vehicle on the cross road approaches the intersection, whereupon the signalling system will be reversed, by. being actuated by such vehicle, to give it the right-of-way across the highway, after which the right-of-way signals again revert to the highway of main traffic. A further object consists in providing means whereby the right-of-way will be. automatically alternated for periods of. for instance, thirty, seconds to each road when traflic is constantly approaching the intersection on the cross road. Still further and more specific objects will be disclosed in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a street or road intersection, showing the position of the trigger switches in the cross road.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation through one of the trigger switches.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view, showing the wiring and connection of the electrical control system.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a magnetic switch employed in the circuit system.

Figure 5 and 6 are end and side views, respectively, of the switch shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation on the line 77 in Figure 4.

Figure 9 is an elevation of an alternator used in the device.

Figures 8, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are sectional views as seen substantially on the respective lines s-s, 10 10', 11-11, 12-12, and 1313, in Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings more particularly and by reference characters, A desi nates a north and south street, lane or roa. hereinafter referred to as the highway. which is crossed by an east and west street B, hereinafter designated as the cross lane, or road,

Serial No. 354,672.

and ad'acent the juncture or interfering point 0 these traflic lanes, as at the middle point of the intersection is a conventional signalling standard C, in the base of which may be arranged the control box D of the trafiic signaling apparatus. The signals may be of any of the well known types for indieating right of way for one or the other lane. In the embodiment illustrated Stop and Go signs are electrically lighted and alternated so that when the sign reads Stop in one direction it will read Go in the other or cross direction, and vice versa. Thus in Figures 3 I have indicated signal lamps R, R as the red or stop lamps for the highway, and these lamps are circuitously connected with the lamps G, G, which are the green or Go lamps of the cross road; while the R R Stop lights forthe cross road are connected in circuit with and are simultaneously energized with green Go lamps G, G, which give the right-of-way to the highway traffic, and stop the cross road lane traiiic. It will be perceived that the apparatus illustrated utilizes visual signals.

The circuit controlling mechanism (later to be described) which controls the two circuits to the lamps in the signal is preferably contained within the control box D,

and the trafiic situation on the cross road is indicated and communicated to this mechanism through auxiliarycircuits which are controlled by what I conveniently term control lers, or trigger switches E and F. These controllers are actuated, in the embodiment illustrated being closed by the passing of vehicles over them each vehicle serving to cause a single actuation of the controller E 3 of my co-pending application for patent Serial No. 695,596, which was filed on February 27, 1924, for automatic variable traflic regulator. It consists, primarily, of a box or casing 13 which is imbedded in the street,

and has a plate 10 pivotally secured therein,

as at 11. The swinging end of the plate 10 has a flange 12 which tends to kee the box closed when the plate is in its raise position and as not being depressed by a vehicle. The plate 10 is normally retained in an inclined or raised position as shown, by a spring 14, but when travelled over by the wheel of a vehicle is depressed to a flush or horizontal position, where it stops. A pair of switch terminals 15 and 16 are, respectively, secured to the plate 10 and box 13, and close together when the plate is depressed, and thus close a circuit through wires 17 and 18 which lead to the control box through a suitable conduit.

Before tracing the circuits in and to the control box and to the lighting group and trigger switches, the mechanism or mechanical structure contained within the control box will first be described as follows:

The magnetic switch device shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 consists of a suitable base having an end wall 31 and an intermediate wall A solenoid 23 is mounted on the base and serves, when energized, to pull a le- V91 24 down against the yielding tension of a spring 26. When the solenoid is dcenergized, the spring 26 tends to restore the lever 24 to its upper position, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. This upward movement is retarded, however, by an air check consisting of a pivoted cylinder 28 in which operates a piston 27 which is connected to the outer extremity of the lever 24. A second lever member 29 is arranged parallel with the lever 24, and, like the latter, is pivoted at its rear end to the wall 31, while the forward ends of both levers are guided by being slidable in vertical slots in the wall 32. The lever 29 is yieldingly raised by a spring 33, and is depressed by a laterally projecting finger of the lever 24. \Vhen the lever 29 is released by the finger 25 it is retained in its lowered position by a bell crank catch member 37, which is pivoted on 32 and retained by a spring 38. When the lever 24 now returns to its full upward positions, it moves the member 37 to release the lever 29, whereupon the latter may also return to its upward position. The terminal of a wire 39 is mounted at the outer end of the lever 29 so that it will close a switch with a wire 43 the terminal of which is stationary on the wall 32. This terminal and switch thus form a make and break device for the circuit of wires 3943. 39 is also a supply wire to the solenoid 23. The lever 24 is arranged to be retained in its lowered position by a bellcrank hook member 34, which is retained in engagement with the lever 24 by a magnet 35, supplied by wires 43 and 59, but which is released by a spring 36, when the magnet is de-energized.

The alternator indicated in Figure 3 and shown more in detail in Figures 8 to 13, in elusive, will now be described as follows: A shaft 40 is journaled in suitable end brackets 40*. A drum 50 is rigidly secured on the shaft to rotate with it, and a drum 51 is rotatably mounted on the shaft. The drum 50 has a ratchet wheel 49 adapted to be engaged by a timing unit or mechanism T when a circuit is closed through the wires 43 and 54.

The timer T may be of any common and well known construction which is capable of lifting and dropping an arm or dog at regular intervals so as to turn the ratchet wheel 49 the length of one tooth for each elevation of the dog. A pawl 67 is brought to bear against the ratchet wheel 49 by a magnet 66 which is also placed in the circuit 43-54. It will thus be seen that the pawl 67 will prevent the reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel when the latter is being rotated by the dog 68, but will allow the wheel to return to its initial position when the timer is inactive and the circuit 4354 is broken. Thus it will be seen that if the circuit 4354 is energized continuously the timer will at periodic and regular intervals lift the arm 68, causing ratchet wheel 4-9 to be rotated tooth by tooth at a. definite rate which is determined by the space between the teeth on the ratchet wheel and by the frequency of the raising and lowering of the arm 68. In this particular embodiment the rotation is, for example, one complete revolution of ratchet wheel 49 in two minutes. When the circuit 43-54 is de-energized,.the timer T becomes inactive, and the pawl 67 is released by magnet 66, thereby permitting drum 50 with ratchet wheel 49 and the accompanying commutator to be returned by spring 69 to its normal position so that either tripping lug 73 or 74 is at rest against projection 76.

Within the drum 51 the shaft is enlarged as at 40 (Fig. 11) and to it is fastened one end of a coil spring 69, the other or outer end of which is secured to the inner face of the drum. Now when the shaft is rotated, by the drum 50, the spring 69 winds itself about the shaft. The drum 51 is held stationary, against the rotating tendency of the spring, by a pawl 72, which is held against the periphery of the drum by a spring 73, and releasably engages the stop or lug 70 or 71 on V the drum. As the shaft 40 continues to r0- tate it will be evident that the spring tension would soon become excessive, and to relieve this tension (without reversing the drum) I provide the drum 50 with a pair of diametrically opposed tripping lugs'74 and 74', which at certain intervals in the movement of the drum 50 act against a projection 76 of the awl 72, and release the latter from the lugs 0,71. To prevent the drum 51 from returning too rapidly, when so released, I provide a small governor 78 which is operatively associated with the drum through gears 7 7 and 52.

\Vhen the ratchet wheel 49 is freed from the timer T, the spring 69 will reverse the direction ot the shaft and also the drum 50. This reverse movement is checked, however, by the arm 76 of the pawl 72, which engages either of the teeth 74 or T4 to stop the drum 50 in an initial position.

On the drum 50 is a peripheral path 48-48 (Figs. 9, 10) having alternating conducting and non-conducting areas, the conducting areas providing contacts which rotate in contact with contact brushes 44 and 45, which are yieldingly retained in contact with the path by springs 47, and which are terminals for wires 42 and 41, respectively. The conducting areas 48 are supplied by wires 48 from a member 46 on the shaft 40, which in turn is supplied through its journal in the bracket 4O by the wire The initial position of the drum is such that the terminal brush 45 will have contact with an intermediate point on one of the areas 48. It will be seen that the drum contacts and the brush contacts 44 and 45 provide a switch, wherewith circuit may be made and broken with wires 41 and 42. As the highway riglrt of way controlling circuit includes wire 42, and the cross lane right of way controlling circuit includes wire 41, shift of the switch CUB- tacts just mentioned is cooperative to shift right of way indication as between the highway and the cross lane.

The circuit wiring will now be set forth. \Vires 21 and 22 represent the power supply, which, for convenience in tracing, we can assume to be positive in wire 21, and negative in wire 22. \Vhen there is no cross road traflic to actuate the switches E or F there will be a closed circuit through the elements 21, 54, 40 40, 4c, 48*, 48, 45, 42, 57, and 22, thus lighting the lamps R R and G G and giving a constant right of way to the tratiic on the highway. Now when an east or west bound vehicle approaches the intersection on the cross road where the signal is located, it

depresses the plate 10 of the trigger switches E or F, and in so doing closes a circuit between the wires 17 and 18, and energizes the solenoid 23, via 39 and 18, resulting in the closing of a contact between the terminals 39 and 43 as above described. The wire 43 now gives a negative supply to the magnet 35 and the timer T of the alternator, and the wire 54 carries a positive charge to the timer T and to the contact areas 48. Thus the timer T is actuated as soon as the contact between 43 and 39 is made. A branch 59 of the wire 42 carries a positive charge, when the terminal 42 has contact with 48 of the alternator, to the retention magnet 35, and consequently the magnet 35 is energized while the make and break device 43-39 is closed.

When a circuit is closed through wires 42, then the signal lamps G G and R R are supp-lied, signalling the right of way to the highway traflic as 57 is the negative wire to all the lamps, and when the wire 41 is charged then the opposite lamps G, G, R. and R are energized, to signal the right of way to traffic on the cross road.

In order that a cell signal of short duration may be given, as the right of way is changed from one directionto the other. I provide a thermal switch in each of the circuits of 41 and 42. Each of these switches is constructed so that it will break the circuits through wires 63 and 64, to the bell 61, shortly after the current starts flowing in 41 or 42. To avoid short circuits separate circuits are provided for the bell by way of a negative wire 62 to the wire 57.

Having now described the construction and action of the device and its various parts, assume that a single vehicle approaches or. the cross street and indicates its presence by actuating the controller, or trigger switch E, for example. This action energizes solenoid 23 and causes arm 24 to repress its associated arm 29 and close a circuit through contacts 39, 43. \Vhen these contacts are closed the timer T is energized and also operates as a motor part and rotates the alternator 50 so that insulation section 48 engages a fixed contact 45 and interrupts highway light circuit 42 so that the green lights on the highway and the red lights on the cross street indicative of right of way on the highway are extinguished. Simultaneously with this movement right of way is transferred to the cross lane because a contact section 48 engages cross lane, brush contact 44 and energizes the cross lane light circuit 41, thus causing a Stop signal to begiven to the highway and a 0 signal to the cross street, and the vehicle is given a definite time to cross the intersection.

The period of time given the vehicle to cross the intersection is controlled by the air check 28 which is brought into operation at the instant highway circuit 42 is interrupted. When circuit 42 is interrupted, magnet 35 is de-energized, thus releasing catch 34 and permitting bar 24 to move slowly upward against the retarding action of air check 28 and during its upward travel bar 24 engages latch 37 and releases bar 29. When the upward limit is reached, which may be after a predetermined, minimum period of eight or ten seconds, for example, as determined by the dashpot timer device, contacts 3943 are broken and the timer T with its associated magnet is de-energized, thereby permitting the pawl 67 to release the alternator which will be immediately set back to normal position by the action of spring 69. The return movement of the alternator interrupts circuit 41 and restores circuit 42 to normal condition so that the Go signal is returned to the highway and the Stop signal to the cross street.

In the event that there is a continuous stream of traffic on the cross street, the arm 24 is repeatedly drawn down by solenoid 23 and the timer T is constantly energized so as to rotate the alternator at a uniform rate so that the right of way is alternately given to each street for desired predetermined periods of time. This time is regulated by the arrangement of the segments 48 and 48 on the alternator or switch. \Vhen the apparatus is in idle condition awaiting actuation by trallic, the highway contact brush 45 lies against contact segment 48, thus completing circuit to the lights indicative of highway right of way. Obviously therefore the period of duration of highway right of way is dependent on the time period of this mutual contact of brush 45 and segment 48. For exemplary purposes of this disclosure, this contact lasts 30 seconds. at the uniform rate of the motor part T. Should the rate of this motor part be varied the time period of contact may be increased or decreased as is apparent.

One important feature of the invention is that when trafiic on the cross street has maintained the right of way for a maximum period of thirty seconds, for example, the right of way is automatically taken from the cross street and given to the highway for an equal period of thirty seconds, even though other approaching vehicles have indicated their presence on the cross street. This right-ofway period for the highway traffic cannot be interrupted because the continuous arrival of vehicles on the cross street has re'energizcd solenoid 23 repeatedly, drawing down arm 24- repeatedly into its down position, thus main taining contacts 39 and 43 closed continu ously. hleanwhile the timer T has rotated the alternator 50 until a non-conducting area 48 has been brought into contact with stationary contact 44 while a conducting area 48 has been brought into contact with stationary contact .45. This has de-energized the circuit through 41 which gives the Go signal to the cross street and the Stop signal to the main highway, and has energized the circuit through 42 which gives the Go nal to the main highway and theStopsignal to the cross street. Simultaneously with the energizing of this circuit, magnet 35 has been energized, and arm 24 is locked in its down position by catch 34. The timer continues to rotate the alternator for another thirty seconds, for example, at the end of which time the movement of the segments has caused circuit 42 to be interrupted and circuit 41 closed so that the right of way is again given to the vehicles waiting on the cross street so that they may proceed across the intersection. When circuit 42 is interrupted,'magnet 35 is de-energized and latch 34 releases bar 24 so that it may slowly rise, and if no other vehicle approaches on the cross street to operate the trigger switch E, the arm 24 reaches its upward limit in about ten seconds and thereby opens contacts 3943 and thus de-energizes the timer and permits the alternator to reset to normal position as previously described.

It will be perceived from the foregoing that notwithstanding the trafiic actuated controller E or F may be found in but one lane, nevertheless, in conjunction with other elements of the apparatus, the traffic in both lanes is automatically controlled in a. practical and efficient way. then the apparatus is idly awaiting traffic and but one vehicle approaches, the single actuation of the controller by said vehicle causes right of way indication to be transferred from the highway to the lane of the controller an d retransferred thereafter to the highway, all without further actuation of the controller. But it will be noted that this transfer and retransfer is depending upon actuation of the controller by the vehicle and is accomplished by actuation by but one vehicle. It will furthermore be noted that in accordance with the constructioa described, there is always at least a pre determined period of several seconds, in the present embodiment 15 seconds, after said actuation of the controller, during which the right of way remains with the highway before being transferred to the cross lane. This not only affords opportunity for any close highway traffic to pass the intersection before the transfer of right of way to the cross road but it also affords at least a predetermined period of highway right of way after said retransfer to the highway and before further transfer to the cross lane as will hereinafter appear.

It will be noted that the single actuation of the controller E or F results in lowering the lever 24 by energization of the solenoid 23, and that repeated actuation of the controller repeatedly lowers said iever in the event that the latter has risen. hen the lever 24 is lowered during highway right of way, it is locked down by the magnet 35, the motor circuit 43 being simultaneously energized through the make and break device 3943. As soon as the drum switch has rotated sufficiently to cut out the highway circuit wire 42, the cross lane wire 41 will be energized through its brush 44 making contact with a rotating contact segment 48 and, as the magnet 45 is deenergized at this time, because the wire 59 is deenergizcd, the lever 24 may immediately begin to rise and eventu ally in at least a predetermined minimum period of time to cause break of the motor circuit, whereupon the drum will immediately be rotated to cut out cross lane brush contact 44, and thus, at the end of this predetermined minimum period, cut out the cross lane right of way. If no other vehicle actuates the controller within this minimum predetermined period, the motor circuit will be broken at the make and break point 3943, cross lane right of way will cease to endure, and the apparatus will operate automatically to retranst'er right of way to the highway as will be apparent from the explanation already given. However, shouid a second vehicle actuate the controller before the expiration of said predetermined minimum period, that is, before the lever 24 has risen sufliciently to actuate the bell crank 37 to release lever :29, said lever 24 will be iowered and the motor circuit will remain closed at the make and break device 39-4;3, so that the motor will continue to operate and rotate the drum 50.

Thus successive actuation of the controller during cross lane right of way, each succeeding actuation being within the predetermined minimum period from its prior actuation, will cause the cross lane right of way to endure and be prolonged to beyond said predetermined minimum period. Eventually the cross lane brush contact 44 will escape the rotating contact segment, notwithstanding the repeated actuations of the controller, in which event highway right of way will be restored, as will be understood. It will be perceived that the make and break device 3943 and its associated controlling devices act as a timing device, or timer; a minimum period timer, as it were. When only one vehicle has actuated the controller, this minimum period timer will time during cross lane right of way and will terminate cross lane right of way at the end of the minimum pre determined period of, for example, 10 seconds, successive actuation of the controller as before explained being required to cause duration in the lane of the controller uninterruptedly to continue for greater than said minimum period.

It will also be perceived that the drum switch operated by its motor timer T serves as a timing device or mechanism for each right of way, inasmuch as in this particular embodiment, each right of way is dependent upon contact of the controlling circuits ll or 42 at this switch. These two timing devices form a timing mechanism cooperable by action of the apparatus to vary the duration or period of continuity, of right of way indication between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time in the cross lane, and one of these devices is cooperable to prolong right of way indication in the lane of the controller to from at least a predetermined minimum period up to a predetermined maximum period, the period being variable in accordance with the interval between successive actuations of the controller. In the cross lane, duration of right of way indication, for at least a predetermined period, is compelled before transfer to the highway and, after transfer to the highway, duration in the highway for at least a predetermined period is compelled before further transfer to the cross lane.

W'hen the controller is actuated at such intervals that successive actuations are not within the predetermined minimum timing interval afforded by operation of the dash pot timer, but are outside such interval, the resultant right of way in the cross-lane from each such controller actuation will continue only for the predetermined minimum period,

as will readily be seen.

It will be apparent that, in the present embodiment, duration of cross lane right of way beyond the predetermined minimum period is dependent on closure of the motor circuit beyond such minimum period. As the motor operates during cross lane right of way, the mutual contact of the drum switch contacts for the cross lane circuit endures for a time dependent also upon the actuation of the controller E F. If the controller is actuated successively within the aforesaid predetermined minimum period, this mutual contact may endure for the full length of the cross lane contact segment of the switch, whereas if the motor circuit is cut out at the end of the minimum predetermined period, the time period of this mutual contact would be less because, as soon as the motor circuit was broken by the minimum period timer, the mutual contact at the switch would be immediately broken on account of the transfer to the highway, right of way contacts effected at the switch by the spring 69. The motor actuated timer is a combined right of way timer and right of way shifter, the make and break timer device 3943 being the more directly controller actuated. One however is cooperable to time right of way during tim ing by the other, and it will be noticed that the minimum period timer cooperates to vary duration of right of way which would otherwise r suit from the combined timer and shifter, this latter timer being also selective of right of way as between the two lanes, the other timer cooperating to vary but one of these rights of way namely the cross lane right of way, time control of the highway right of way being practically independent of operation of the controller actuated timer. In the present embodiment the drum switch timer provides a maximum control period for each lane, whereas the other timing device has at least a predetermined minimum control period which is eii'ective to limit the right of way as determined by the drum switch timer for the cross lane.

It will be perceived that the invention provides devices operative to causeat least a predetermined minimum timing period which is enlargeable by action of the controller. The dashpot lever 24 may be drawn down by controller energization of the solenoid 23, before the lever reaches its upper limit. If it is drawn down shortly after it begins to rise a certain amount of prolongation results. Ifthc lever rises further before being drawn down an increased amount of prolongation results. Thus prolongation of right of way beyond the minimum interval of time will be increased as the lapsed time between the beginning of one interval and the beginning of the next succeeding interval increases.

During cross lane right of way, should the controller not be actuated before the lever 24 rises suiliciently to cause breaking the contact 39, 43; that is, not before close of the minimum timing period, duration of right of way in the cross lane will be concluded at the end of the minimum timing period. Thus duration of right of way in the lane of the controller beyond the minimum period is dependent upon the actuation of the controller after the inception of and before the close of the minimum timing period. Also it will be perceived that successive actuation of the controller is adapted to give a greater period of duration of right of way in one of the lanes, the cross lane, than is a single actuation of the controller, and that the mechanism confines continuous right of way to from an original predetermined minimum interval to a maximum interval by actuation of the controller, this maximum interval being capable of adjustable variation as determined by the rate of movement of the motor mechanism.

Inasmuch as an important feature of the invention concerns the indication of right of way for the highway when the traffic approaches the intersection, the construction provides for compelling highway right of way subsequently to be indicated, once the right of way has been transferred to the cross lane. In the present embodiment, upon a single actuation of the controller, the highway circuit 42 is remade by automatic operation of the apparatus after it is once broken and without further actuation of the controller. Once the motor mechanism is started in response to actuation of the controller, at least a predetermined interval of time clapses before the motor mechanism is arrested. It will be seen that the minimum period timer assures this.

It is further understood that various modifications may be made in the design and structural details herein exemplified, without departing from the invention.

llaving now, therefore, fully shown and described the invention, what is claimed to be new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. A signalling system arranged at the intersection of a highway and a cross road for regulating trafiic, said system including a highway lamp circuit and a cross road lamp circuit, a time controlled switch associated with said circuits, for alternately opening and closing the same, said switch being normally idle in an initial position so as to normally retain the highway circuit closed and permit highway traflic to cross the intersection, means actuated by a vehicle approaching the intersection on the cross road for actuating the switch so as to alternately de-encrgize the highway circuit and energize the cross road circuit to successively signal the right-of-way to the cross road and highway, said means including the time controlled switch and being operative for automatically restoring the switch and the lamp circuits to their initial conditions.

2. A street crossing signal system including a pair of signal circuits, one circuit including a signal to indicate Stop and the other to indicate Go, switching means normally maintaining the Go signal circuit closed and the Stop signal circuit open and movable through a cycle to first reverse and then restore to normal the circuit conditions, normally inactive time controlled means for moving said switching means through its cycle, vehicle actuated means for rendering said time controlled means active, and means operated by the switch at the end of its cycle to render the time controlled means again inactive.

3. A street crossing signalling system including a pair of signal circuits, one circuit including a signal to indicate Stop and the other to indicate Go, switching means movable through a cycle for alternately energizing said circuits, normally inactive time controlled means for moving said switching means through its cycle, vehicle actuated means for rendering said time controlled means active, and means including the switch for restoring the time controlled means to its inactive condition.

4. A street crossing signalling system including a pair of signal circuits, one circuit including a signal to indicate Stop and the other to indicate Go, switching means movable through a cycle for alternately energizing said circuits, normally inactive time controlled means for moving said switching means through its cycle, vehicle actuated means for rendering said time controlled means active, and means operated by the switch at the end of its timed cycle for rendering the time controlled means again in active.

5. A street crossing signalling system including a pair of signal circuits, one circuit including a signal to indicate Stop andthc other to indicate Go, the Go signal circuit of which is normally closed and the Stop signal circuit open, a normally inactive time controlled switching means for successively and alternately reversing the open and closed positions of the circuits for predetermined periods of time, vehicle actuated means for rendering the switching means active, and means including the time controlled switching means for rendering the switching means inactive so as to restore the circuits to their initial conditions.

6. An automatic signalling system for highway intersections including signal circuits arranged to provide a Go signal for the main highway and a Stop signal for the cross street, and circuits arranged to provide a Stop signal for the main highway and a G 0 signal for the cross street, switchmg means to alternately energize and de-energize the circuits through a cycle in which the Go signal is taken from the main highway and given to the cross streetfor a predetermined period and then returned to the main highway for at least a predetermined fixed minimum period, said switching means normally inactive for maintaining the Go signal on the main highway continuously, means actuated by a vehicle to initiate the said cycle of the switching means, and means associated with the switching means to terminate the cycling of the switching means at the end of a cycle.

7 An automatic signalling system for highway intersections including signal circults arranged to provide a Go signal for the main hlghway and a Stop si nal for the cross street, and circuits arranged to provide a Stop signal for the main highway and a Go signal for the cross street, switching means to alternately energize and de-energize the circuits through a cycle in which the Go signal is taken from the main highway and given to the cross street for a predetermined period and then returned to the main highway for at least a predetermined fixed minimum period, said switchinr means normally inactive for maintaining the G0 si nal on the main highway continuously, a switch adjacent to the highway to initiate the said cycle of the switching means, and means associated with the switching means to terminate the cycling of the switching means at the end of a cycle.

8. An automatic signalling system for highway intersections including signal circuits arranged to provide a Go signal for the main highway and a Stop signal for the cross street, and circuits arranged to provide a Stop signal for the main highway and a Go signal for the cross street, cycling switching means to operate the signals through a cycle in which the circuits are alternately energized and de-energized so that the Go signal is taken from the main highway and given to the cross street for a predetermined period and then returned to the main highway for at least a predetermined fixed minimum period, said cycling switching means being normally inactive for maintaining the Go signal on the main highway continuously, means actuated by a vehicle to initiate the said cycle of the cycling switching means, and means associated with the vehicle-actuated means to prematurely terminate, after a predetermined fixed minimum period of inaction of the vehicle means, that portion of the cycle in which the Go signal is given to the cross street.

9. An automatic signalling system for highway intersections including signal circuits arranged to provide a Gd signal for the main highway and a Stop signal for the cross street, and circuits arranged to provide a Stop signal for the main highway and a Go signal for the cross street, cyclic switching means to operate the signal through a cycle in which the Go signal is taken from the main highway and given to the cross street for a predetermined period, and then returned to the main highway for a predetermined fixed minimum period, said cyclic switching means normally inactive maintaining the Go signal on the main highway continuously, means actuated by a vehicle to initiatethe said cycle'of the cyclic switching means, means associated with the vehicle-actuated means toprema turely terminate, after a predetermined fixed minimum period of inaction of the vehicle means, that portion of the cycle in which the Go; signal is given to the cross street, and means to re tain the effect of an impulse from a vehicle passing over the vehicle-actuated means during the period in which the cyclic switching means is giving the Go signal to the main highway until the Go signal is given to the cross street.

10. An automatic signalling system ,for intersecting highways comprising electrically operated signalling devices, switching devices, means associated therewith for moving said switching devices through a cycle of operation to cause said signalling devices to alternately indicate Stop and Go signals respectively to the intersecting highways for predetermined periods. a timer for varying the cycle of operation of the switching devices and traific-actuated means for initiating the operation of said switch-moving means and said cycle-varying means.

11. An automatic signalling system for intersecting highways comprising electric circuits for operating the signalling devices, switching devices cooperalole for normally causing a Go signal to be exhibited on one street and a Stop signal on the other, means associated therewith for moving said switching devices through a cycle of operation to cause said signalling devices to be actuated through said circuits so as alternately to indicate Stop and Go signals respectively to the intersecting highways, means, including timin mechanism, for initiating and terminating the operation of the switching devices, and vehicle-actuated means for energizing said time-controlled means.

12. In an automatic signal mechanism for intersecting highways, the combination with signal means at the intersection tonormally provide a G0 signal for the main highway while giving a Stop signal for the intersecting street and another normally inactive signal means to provide a Stop signal for the main highway while givin a Go signal for the intersecting street, 0 a signal current supply, signal circuit switch devices and connections arranged to form a normal circuit through which current is supplied to one of the signal means to produce a Go signal for the main highway and a Stop signal for the intersecting highway, means including a timing mechanism, which when operated will move the signal circuit switch devices in such an order as to change the signals from Go and Stop signals for the main and cross highways respectively to Stop and Go for said highways, and after a delay restore the circuits to their normal condition, a switch adjacent to one of the highways, means operated by said highway switch for effecting an operation of said switch devices, and means associated with the switch devices to prevent a Go signal for the cross highway beyond its normal time limit until after a Go signal for the main highway has been restored and maintained for a period of time.

13. A trailic signaling apparatus having, in combination, a traffic actuated cdntroller, right of way transferring mechanism controlled l'rom said controller, and signal timing apparatus actuatable in response to actuation of said controller and including one mechanism having a predetermined maximum timing period and another mechanism having a different predetermined minimum timing period.

14. A traffic signaling apparatus having, in combination, a traflic actuated controller, right of way transferring mechanism controlled from said controller, and signal timing mechanism having a predetermined maximum timing period and a prcdeter mined minimum timing period, said mini mum period enlargeable by action of said controller.

15. A traltic signaling apparatus having, in combination, a tratlic actuated controller, right of way transferring mechanism controlled from said controller, and signal timing mechanism having a predetermined maximum timing period and a predetermined minimum timing period, said minimum period enlargeable up to the maxmum period by action of said controller.

16. A traflic signaling apparatus having, in combination, a trafiic actuated controller, right of way transferring mechanism controlled from said controller, and signal timing mechanism having a predetermined minimum timing period enlargeable by succes sive actuations of said controller during the initial minimum period of its timing action and during any enlarged period up to a predetermined amount of enlargement.

17. A traffic signaling apparatus for causing signal indications in each of two interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, means, including a traflic actuated controller, cooperative to cause duration of right of way indication in one of said lanes for at least a predetermined minimum time period, right of way transferring mechanism controlled from said controller, and devices to cause duration of right 0t way indication in said lane beyond said minimum period to be dependent upon actuation of said controller after inception of and before close of said minimum time period.

18. A traffic signaling apparatus for causing indications in each of two interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, right of way transferring mechanism, a traftic actuated controller in one lane to cause duration of right of way indication in said lane for a predetermined minimum period of time, and devices to cause duration of right of way indication in said lane to be limited to a predetermined maximum time period irrespective of the total number of actuations of said controller after inception of said minimum period indication.

19. A tratlic signaling apparatus for causing signal indications ineach of two interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, right of way transferring mechanism, a traific actuated controller in one lane to cause duration of right of way indication in said lane for a predetermined minimum period of time, and devices to cause duration of right of way indication in said lane to be limited to a predetermined maximum time period greater than its minimum period irrespective of the total number of actuations of said controller in said lane between inception of its minimum and close of its maximum period.

20. A traflic signaling apparatus for causing signal indications in each of two interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, means, including a traflic actuated controller in one lane, cooperative to cause duration of right of way in said line for a predetermined minimum interval of time, right of way transferring mechanism, and devices whereby actuations of said controller during said right of way and at intervals less than said minimum interval cause prolongation of indication of said right of way beyond said minimum interval of time.

21. A traific signaling apparatus for causing signal indications in each of two interfering trafiic lanes and having, in combination, means, including a trafiic actuated controller in one lane, cooperative to cause dura- .said minimum interval cause prolongation of indication of said right of way beyond said minimum interval of time and increase prolongation as the lapsed time between the beginning of one interval and the beginning of the next succeeding interval increases.

22. A traflic signaling apparatus for causing signal indications in each of two interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, means, including actuated controller in one lane, cooperative to cause duration of right of way indication in said lane for an interval of time variable between a predetermined minimum and a predetermined maximum interval, right of way transferring mechanism, and means whereby actuation of said controller within said minimum interval and during said right of way prolongs duration of said right of way beyond said minimum interval.

28. A traffic signaling apparatus adapted to cause signaling indications in each of two interfering tratlic lanes and having, in combination, right of way trasferring mechanism, a traffic actuated controller in one of said lanes, a device adapted to confine continuous right of way indication to form an original predetermined minimum interval to a predetermined maximum interval of time by actuation of said controller, continuation of right of way indication in one lane beyond said original predetermined minimum interval being dependent upon actuation of said controller within said original minimum interval.

24. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuatable controller in one lane, and means cooperable, by a single actuation of said controller, to cause transfer of right of way indication to the lane of said controller from the other lane and retransfer to the first lane and compel duration of right of Way indication in the lane of said controller for at least a predetermined eriod.

25. A tra c signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuatable controller in one lane, and means cooperable, by a single actuation of said controller, to cause transfer of right of way indication to the lane of said controller from the other lane and retransfer to the other lane and, after such retransfer, compel duration of right of way indicat on in said other lane for at least a predeterminedperiod before further transfer to the lane of said controller.

26. -A trafiic signaling apparatus for interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, and means, including a traflic actuatable controller in one lane, cooperable to cause a predetermined definite period of right of way in dication in the lane of said controller, by one actuation of said controller, and uninterruptedly to prolong said period by a subsequent actuation of said controller, and right of way transferring mechanism controlled from said controller.

27. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device and means, including a traffic actuatable control ler in one lane, cooperable to cause a predetermined period of right of way indication in the lane of said controller, caused by one actuation of said controller, uninterruptedly to be prolonged by a subsequent actuation of said controller but not beyond a predetermined maximum period of time, and right of way transferring mechanism controlled from said controller.

28. A trallic signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in com bination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuatable controller in one lane, and means cooper-able, by a single actuation of said controller, to cause transfer of right of way indication to the lane of said controller from the other lane and retransfer back to the latter lane and cause a predetermined period of right of way indication in the lane of said controller uninterruptedly to be prolonged by a subsequent actuation of said controller.

29. A traflic signaling apparatus for interfering traliie lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuatable controller in one lane, and means cooperable, by a single actuation of said controller, to cause transfer of right of Way indication to the lane of said controller from the other lane and retransfer back to the latter lane and cause a )redetermined period of right of way indication in the lane of said controller uninterruptedly to be prolonged by a subsequent actuation of said controller but not beyond a predetermined maximum period of time.

30. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering trafiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device operable to signal right of way to each lane, a traffic actuated controller in one lane, right of way transferring mechanism, and means including timing mechanism eooperable, by action of the apparatus, to vary durat1on of right of way indication in the lane of said controller between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time.

31. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device operable to signal right of way to each lane, a traffic actuated controller in one lane, right of way transferring mechanism, means including timing mechanism cooperable, by action of the apparatus, to vary duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time, singleactuation of said controller cooperable to cause duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller for at least said predetermined minimum period.

32. A trai'fic signaling apparatus for interfering trafiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device operable to signal right of way to each lane, a traflic actuated controller in one lane, right of way transferring mechanism, means, including timing mechanism cooperable to vary duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time, successive actuation of said controller cooperable to cause duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller for a greater ,period than by single actuation.

33. A trallic signaling apparatus for interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device operable to signal right of way to each lane, a traffic actuated controller in one lane, right of way transferring mechanism, means including timing mechanism cooperable to vary duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time, single actuation of said controller cooperable to cause duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller for at least said predetermined minimum period, successive actuation of said controller cooperable to cause duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller for a greater period than said minimum period.

34. A traflic signaling apparatus for interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuated controller in one lane, right of way transferring mechanism, means including timing mechanism cooperable to vary duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time, successive actuation of said controller cooperable to cause duration of right of way indication in .the lane of said controller for a greater period than by single actuation, said means also including a device cooperable to limit duration of continuous right of way indication in the lane of said controller, by successive actuation of said controller, to a predetermined maximum-amount.

35. A trafiic signaling apparatus for interfering trafiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuated controller in one lane, right of way transferring mechanism, means including timing mechanism cooperable to vary duration of right of Way indication in the lane of said controller between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time, single actuation of said controller cooperable to cause duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller for at least said predetermined minimum period, successive actuation of said controller cooperable to cause duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller for a greater pe riod than said minimum period, said means also including a device cooperable to limit duration of continuous right of way indication in the lane of said controller, by successive actuation of said controller, to a predetermined maximum amount.

36. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, a right ofway indicating device, a trafiie actuated controller in one lane, right of way transferring mechanism, means including timing mechanism coopcrable, by action of the apparatus, to vary duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time, single actuation of said controller being cooperable to transfer right of way indication to the lane of said controller from the other lane and back to the latter lane.

37. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a trafiic actuated controller in one lane, means including timing mechanism cooperable to vary duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time, single actuation of said controller cooperable to transfer right of way indication to the lane of said controller from the other lane and back to the latter lane and compel a minimum period of right of way indication in each lane before transfer to the other lane.

38. A traflic signaling apparatus for interfering trafiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, right of way transferring mechanism, a trafiic actuated controller in one lane, means including timing mechanism cooperable to vary continuous duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time, and limit said continuous greater period to a predetermined maximum interval of time.

39. A trafiic signaling apparatus for interfering trafiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of Way indicating device, a trafiic actuated controller in one lane, means, including timing mechanism, cooperable to effect transfer of right of way indication between said lanes and to vary duration of right of way indication in one of said lanes between a predetermined minimum and a greater period of time, successive actuations of said controller, each within a predetermined minimum period, similar to the aforesaid minimum period, from its prior actua tion, being required to cause duration of right of way in the lane of said controller uninterruptedly to continue for greater than said minimum period, single actuation of said controller cooperable to transfer right of Way indication to the lane of said controller from the other lane and back to the latter lane, and compel duration of right of way in the last mentioned lane for at least a predetermined period before retransfer to the lane of said controller.

40. A traflic signaling apparatus for interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuatable controller, a combined right of way timer and right of way shifter for said indicating device, a controller-actuated, right of way timer, each said timer cooperable to time duration of right of way during a period of timing thereof by the other.

41. A traflic signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuatable controller, a combined right of way timer and right of way shifter for said indicating device, a controller-actuated, right of way timer, said controller-actuated timer cooperative to vary duration of right of way otherwise resultant from the other timer.

-12. A traflic signaling apparatus for interfering traiiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traflic actuatable controller, a combined right of way timer and right of way shifter for said indicating device, a controller-actuated, right of way timer, each said timer cooperable to time duration of right of way during timing thereof by the other, said controller-actuated timer cooperative to vary duration of right of way otherwise resultant from the other timer.

43. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, a-right of way indicating device, a traflic actnatable controller, a combined right of way timer and right of way shifter for said indicating device, a controller-actuated, right of way timer, said controller-actuated timer operable to vary duration of one, and but one, right of way selected by said combined timer and shifter.

44. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a trafiic actuatable controller, a combined right of way timer and right of way shifter for said indicating device, a controller-actuated, right of way timer, said controller-actuated timer cooperative to operate to vary duration of one, and but one, right of way selected by said combined timer and shifter, time control of duration of the other right of way selected by said shifter being independent of operation of said controllcr-actuated timer.

45. A trailic signaling apparatus for interfering traiiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traflic actuatable controller, right of way transfer ring mechanism controlled from said controller, and two devices controlled from said controller each operable to control duration of right of any indication, one said. device cooperative to vary duration of right of way in dication otherwise resultant from the other, one said device having a predetermined maximum duration control period and the other said device having at least a predetermined minimum duration control period.

46. A trailic signaling apparatus for interfering traiiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a trallic actuatable controller, right of way transferring mechanism controlled from said controller, and two devices controlled from said controller each operable to control duration of right of way indication, each said device cooperative to control duration during a period of control thereof by the other de vice, one said device cooperative to vary duration of right of way indication otherwise resultant from the other, one said device having a predetermined maximum duration control period and the other said device having at least a predetermined minimum duration control period.

47. A traflic signaling apparatus for interfering trafiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a trafiic actuatable controller, a combined right of we timer and right of way shifter for said indicating device, a controlier-actuatcd, right of Way timer, each said timer cooperable to time duration of right of way during a period of timing thereof by the other, said combined timer and shifter having a predetermined maximum timing period and said controlleractuated timer having a predetermined timing period less than said maximum.

48. A traflic signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuatable controller, a combined right of Way timer and right of way shifter for said indicating device, a controller-actuated, right of way timer, one said timer cooperable to time duration of right of way during timing thereof by the other, motor mechanism for actuatmg said combined timer and shifter, and a motor mechanism circuit made and broken by actuation of said controller.

49. A trafiic signaling apparatus for interfering traflic lanes and having, in combination, a. right of way indicating device, a trafiic actuatable controller, a combined right of wa timer and right of way shifter for said indirating device, a controller-actuated, right of way timer, one said timer cooperable to time duration of right of way during timing thereof by the other, said controller-actuated timer cooperative to vary duration of right of way indication otherwise resultant from the other timer, motor mechanism for actuating said combined timer and shifter, and a motor mechanism circuit made and broken by actuation of said controller.

50. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering highway and cross lanes and having, in combination, a highway right of way controlling circuit, a. cross lane right of way controlling circuit, a switch, including contacts for making and breaking said controlling circuits, cooperable to shift right of way indication as between said lanes, a traffic actuatable controller in the cross lane, motor-mechanism operable in response to actuation of said controller, to cause relative shift movement between the contacts of said switch and, in response to a single actuation of said controller,

to compel remaking the highway circuit after the same is broken.

' 51. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering highway and cross lanes and having, in combination, a highway right of way controlling circuit, a cross lane right of way control ling circuit, a switch, including contacts for making and breakin said controlling circuits, cooperable to s ift right of way indication as between said lanes, a traffic actuatable controller in the cross lane, motor-mechanism operable in response to actuation of said controller, to cause relative shift movement between the contacts of said switch and,

in response to a single actuation of said con-,

troller to compel remaking the highway circuit after the'same is broken, duration of at least a predetermined interval of time from a preceding actuation of said controller to arrest operation of said motor-mechanism.

52. A trafiic signaling apparatus for interfering highway and cross lanes and having,

in combination, a highway right of way controlling circuit, a cross lane right of way controlling circuit, a switch, including contacts for making and breaking said controlling circuits, cooperable to shift right of way indication as between said lanes, a traflic actuatable controller in the cross lane, motor-mechanism having a make and break device in its circuit operable in response to actuation of said controller to actuate said switch to make contact with said controlling circuits one after the other so as to shift right of way indication back and forth between said lanes, and, in response to a single actuation of said controller to compel remaking the highway circuit after the same is broken, and means whereb, successive actuation of said controller during right of way in the cross lane and within a predetermined interval of time from each other, compels mutual contact of the switch contacts for the cross lane circuit to endure beyond a time caused by a single actuation of said controller during cross lane right of way.

53. A trailic signaling apparatus for inter fering highway and cross lanes and having, in combination, a highway right of way con trolling circuit, a cross lane right of Way controlling circuit, a switch, including contacts for making and breaking said controlling circuits, cooperable to shift right of way indication as between said lanes, a traffic actuatable controller in the cross lane, motormechanism having a make and break device in its circuit operable in response to actuation of said controller to actuate said switch to make contact with said controllin circuits one after the other so as to shift rig t of way indication back and forth between said lanes, and, in response to a single actuation of said controller to compel remaking the highway circuit after the same is broken, and means whereby successive actuation of said controller during right of way in the cross lane and within a predetermined interval of time from each other, compels mutual contact of the switch contacts for the cross lane circuit to endure beyond a time caused by a single actu-- ation of said controller during cross lane right of way, duration of highway right of way being dependent on the time period of contact between the switch contacts for the highway circuit, and means, dependent for operation upon the passage of at least a predetermined interval of time from a preceding actuation of said controller, to arrest operation of said motor-mechanism.

54. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering highway and cross lanes and having, in combination, a highway right of way controlling circuit, a cross lane right of way controlling circuit, a switch, including contacts for making and breaking said controlling circuits, cooperable to shift right of way indication as between said lanes, a trafiic actuatable controller in the cross lane, motor-mechanism having a make and break device in its circuit operable in response to actuation of said controller to actuate said switch to make contact with said controlling circuits one after the other so as to shift right of way indication back and forth between said lanes, and, in response to a single actuation of said controller to compel remaking the highway circuit after the same is broken, and means whereby successive actuation of said controller during right of way in the cross lane and within a predetermined interval of time,

from each other, compels mutual contact of the switch contacts for the cross lane circuit to endure beyond a time caused by a single actuation of said controller during cross lane right of way, duration of the cross lane right of way indication beyond a predetermined minimum period bein dependent on closure of the motor circuit beyond said minimum period.

55. A traflic signaling apparatus for interfering highway and cross lanes and having, in combination, a highway right of way controlling circuit, a cross lane right of way controlling circuit, a switch, including contacts for making and breaking said controlling circuits, cooperable to shift right of way indication as between said lanes, a traffic actuatable controller in the cross lane, motormechanisin having a make and break device in its circuit operable in response to actuation of said controller to actuate said switch to make contact with said controlling circuits one after the other so as to shift right of way indication back and forth between said lanes, and, in response to a single actuation of said controller to compel remaking the highway circuit after the same is broken, and means whereby successive actuation of said controller during right of way in the cross lane and within a predetermined interval of time from each other, com els mutual contact of the switch contacts or the cross lane circuit to endure beyond a time caused by a single act-nation of said controller during cross lane right of way, duration of the cross lane right of way indication beyond a predetermined minimum period bein dependent on closure of the motor circuit beyond said minimum period, successive actuation of said controller within said minimum period cooperative to maintain said motor circuit closed by said make and break device.

56. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering traffic lanes and having, in combination,' a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuatable controller in one lane, and means co-iiperable, by a single actuation of said controller, to operate said indicating device to cause transfer of right of way indication back and forth between said lanes.

57. A traffic signaling apparatus having, in combination, a visual signal approachable by traffic on each of a plurality of different lanes and having means operable to shift signal indication so as to transfer right of way between said lanes, a traflic actuatable controller in one of said lanes and on the approach to said signal, said means including mechanism cooperative, by actuation of said controller by a vehicle approaching the signal, to cause such actuation of said signal as to transfer right of way back and forth between said lanes.

58. A traffic signaling ap aratus having, in combination, a vlsual si 'na approachable by trafiic on each of a plurality of different lanes and having means operable to shift signal indication so as to transfer right of way between said lanes, a traflie actuatable controller in one of said lanes and on the approach to said signal, said means including mechanism cooperable with said controller to control transfer of right of way and, by successive actuation of said controller within a predetermined interval by vehicles approaching the signal, to prolong the period of continuity of right of way in one lane beyond a predetermined minimum period but not beyond a predetermined maximum period before transfer from the latter lane.

59. A traffic signaling apparatus having, in combination, a visual signal approachable by traffic on each of a plurality of different lanes and having means operable to shift signal indication so as to transfer right of way between said lanes, a traffic actuatable controller in one of said lanes and on the approach to said signal, said means including mechanism cooperable with said controller to control transfer of right of way and, by successive actuation of said controller within a predetermined interval by vehicles approaching the signal, to prolong the period of continuity of right of way in one lane beyond a predetermined period before transfer from the latter lane, successive actuation of said controller outside said predetermined interval cooperable to cause a predetermined minimum period of continuity of right of way in one lane for each actuation last mentioned.

60; A traflic signaling apparatus having, in combination, a visual signal approachable by trafiie on each of a plurality of different lanes and having means operable to shift signal indication so as to transfer right of way between said lanes, a traffic actuatable controller in one of said lanes and on the approach to said signal, said means including mechanism cooperative, by actuation of said controller by a vehicle approaching the signal, to cause such actuation of said signal as to transfer right of Way back and forth between said lanes and a device operable, by successive actuation of said controller within a predetermined interval by vehicles a preaching the signal, to prolong the period 0 continuity of right of way in the lane of the controller beyond a predetermined period before transfer from the lane of the controller.

61. A traffic signaling apparatus having, in combination, a visual signal approachable by traffic on each of a plurality of different lanes and having means operable to shift signal indication so as to transfer right of way betweensaid lanes, a traflic actuatable controller in one of said lanes and on the approach to said signal, said means includin mechanism cooperative, by actuation of sai controller by a vehicle approaching the signal, to cause such actuation of said si 211 as to transfer right of way back and fort between said lanes and a device operable, by succes- III) sive actuation of said controller within a redetermined interval by vehicles approachmg the signal, to prolong the period of continuity of right of way in the lane of the con- 5 troller be ond a predetermined period before transfer mm the lane of the controller and a device cooperative, on successive actuation of said controller outside said predetermined interval, to transfer right of way to and from the lane of the controller and limit the period of continuity of right of way in the lane of the controller to a predetermined minimum period of time for each controller actuation outside said predetermined interval. 62. A trafiic signaling apparatus having, in combination, a visual signal approachable by trafiic on each of a plurality of different lanes, and having means operable to shift signal indication so as to transfer right of way between said lanes, a traflic actuatable controller in one of said lanes and on the approach to saidsignal, said means including right of Way timing mechanism cooperable, by successive actuation of said controller within a predetermined interval to cause a period of continuity of right of way greater than that caused by successive actuation of said controller outside said predetermined interval. 3o 63. A traffic signaling apparatus for interfering trafiic lanes and having, in combination, a right of way indicating device, a traffic actuatable controller in one lane and means cooperable, by a single actuation of said controller, to cause transfer of right of Way indication to the lane of said controller from the other lane and compel duration of right of way indication in the lane of said controller for at least a predetermined period, 40 and said means including a device cooperable to cause re-transfer to said other lane after a predetermined maximum period of duration in the lane of said controller.

THE AUTOMATIC SIGNAL CORPORATION,

Assignee of Robert 0. Nelson, Deceased,

By EUGENE D. STIRLEN,

President.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Reissue Patent No. I7, 602. Granted February I8, 1931, to

THE AUTOMATIC SIGNAL CORPORATION.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 7, line 118, claim I], after "highways" insert a comma;'page 8, line 118, claim 20, for "line" read lane; page 9, line 15, claim 22, after "including" insert a traffic; line 28, claim 23, for the misspelled word "trasferring" read transferring, and line 31, for "form" read from; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of December, A. D. 1931.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

